What vitamin supplement does your doctor recommend?

[braumeister]

Not exactly a vitamin, but every doctor I've ever spoken with recommends fish oil (Omega-3).
And I especially remember one cardiologist who said "I don't care how much fish oil you're taking; it's probably not enough."

 

[DayDreaming]

My doctor has never recommended that I take vitamins.

A while ago, I decided to start taking a multi-vitamin because I assumed that would be a good thing to do. Then I thought: why am I doing this, do I see any difference, what am I trying to fix/prevent, and do I want to take a daily pill every day for the rest of my life for no particular reason. So I stopped.

 

[Luvtoride]

My doctor has never recommended that I take vitamins.

A while ago, I decided to start taking a multi-vitamin because I assumed that would be a good thing to do. Then I thought: why am I doing this, do I see any difference, what am I trying to fix/prevent, and do I want to take a daily pill every day for the rest of my life for no particular reason. So I stopped.

DD, many of us take vitamins and supplements due to deficiencies which are detected in blood work done by our doctors. I doubt most here are “self medicating” because of the advertisements for vitamins (at least I hope that’s not the case).

I suppose you are one of the fortunate ones that is getting sufficient levels of nutrients in your diet.
Keep up the healthy lifestyle and get your levels checked periodically.

 

[Helen]

We've had this discussion before. Great to hear people have docs who do not suggest supplements. Also have never had a doc suggest supplements. Evidence suggests waste of money at best. Many studies say harm. In very specific, and relatively rare, deficiency conditions then vitamins become treatment. Eat a decent diet, exercise, get some sun.

Doctors have very little training in nutrition. Their training is not really focused on prevention, it is focused more on pharmaceutical solutions.

I take B-complex, vitamin D and magnesium. Magnesium prevents my legs from cramping, it's the only supplement where I can feel a difference by taking it.

 

[Alan]

No GP has ever recommended any vitamin supplements for me.

 

[RAE]

I have never, ever, had a doctor recommend any vitamin.

Me neither. I do take several supplements, though, based on my own research and also monitoring my yearly blood tests.

 

[WhenIsItTime]

My doctor asked about my diet. I replied: Mountain Dew, meat, potatoes, carbs, alcohol. Dr said don’t waste time on vitamins, but have a will ready.

 

[11522914]

After being diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency 8 years ago, I started taking 5,000iu daily.

Get it checked once a year and always in the upper range.

Haven't been sick a day since then.

 

[grasshopper]

My ophthalmologist recommends PreserVision Areds 2, which has plenty of vit C and E. My urologist likes flaxseed vs fish oil. My pcp likes magnesium for my jimmy leg. As a veggie head I take B-12 and vit D.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

DH and I both had some health issues this past year. Really the first time anything major in many years. Thank goodness for Pubmed and order your own lab tests. We've uncovered key things on our own the regular doctors and specialists had no clue about, despite hundreds and hundreds of studies on Pubmed.

It really is a shame there is such a wealth of research on Pubmed about diet, nutrient deficiencies and biomarker anomalies in various common diseases that conventional medical doctors and even specialists don't know about, let alone order tests for or make diet / supplement suggestions.

 

[Mariez]

Vitamin Supplements

I also endorse Vitamin D supplements but they must be bioavailable. I was taking the tablets for a couple of years and they did nothing for my Vitamin D level which was very low. I switched to liquid cod liver oil which is high in Vit. A, Vit. D and omega 3's. Within 3 weeks the stiffness and aches in my fingers improved and my dry eyes significantly improved. My Vit. D blood levels are now within the normal range.

 

[Chuckanut]

This is not a vitamin, but I have been trying collagen for the past 6 months.

I've had problems with brittle fingernails that tear, split, and break very, very easily. Sometimes its quite painful. Somebody recommended trying collagen for 6 months. That's about how long it will take to see if the new nails are stronger the the old nail tissue that is being replaced. I'm about at the six month point and will see if the new nail tissue is stronger.

 

[pacergal]

The only ones a DR has actually recommended to me is a general multivitamin, Fish Oil, and most recently, Calcium Citrate since I take Omeprazole.
On my own, I have chosen to add Vit D3, Vit C, Glucosamine, Zinc--small dose daily and add more if I have cold symptoms.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I also endorse Vitamin D supplements but they must be bioavailable. I was taking the tablets for a couple of years and they did nothing for my Vitamin D level which was very low. I switched to liquid cod liver oil which is high in Vit. A, Vit. D and omega 3's. Within 3 weeks the stiffness and aches in my fingers improved and my dry eyes significantly improved. My Vit. D blood levels are now within the normal range.

Interesting - What brand of cod liver oil did you buy?

 

[Mariez]

Cod Liver Oil

The brand I buy is Carlson Norwegian Cod Liver Oil. I started with one tablespoon per day for a month and now I take 2 tsp. per day. It's the only supplement where I have seen a dramatic improvement. I question the efficacy of a lot of the supplements on the market. I have a BS in nutrition and as a student I was never taught a lot of the crazy claims supplement manufacturers make these days.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

The brand I buy is Carlson Norwegian Cod Liver Oil. I started with one tablespoon per day for a month and now I take 2 tsp. per day. It's the only supplement where I have seen a dramatic improvement. I question the efficacy of a lot of the supplements on the market. I have a BS in nutrition and as a student I was never taught a lot of the crazy claims supplement manufacturers make these days.

Thanks. I will try that. I was taking a D2 supplement in winter and it had no effect. I switched to cod liver gels but my D was still low. I'm on UV treated mushroom pills now for vitamin D and can feel a change but haven't been retested yet.

 

[Sojourner]

For everyone taking Vit D supplements (including myself), you definitely should be taking Vit K2 a few times per week, as well. K2 helps to reduce the amount of calcium buildup in arteries around the heart. Since D3 helps the body absorb calcium more effectively and thus boosts calcium levels in the blood, you'd want to take K2 to help keep that extra calcium where it belongs (in the bones, for example). Western diets are very low in naturally occurring K2.

I take 5000 IU of D3 and 100µg of K2 every other day.

vitamin-d-and-vitamin-k2-benefits-connection

 

[timbervest]

2000 IU Vitamin D daily
2200 mg Omega 3 Fish Oil daily

 

[brett]

We both take vitamin D.

And our physician told us to forget about bothering with those overpriced products sold by multi level marketing firms. Overpriced, many claims not even FDA verified.

Her advice...go generic but ask your qualified pharmacist for advice.

Never mind what the label says, what the adverts say, or what that lady trying to sell some 'exclusive' product claims. This is where the margin goes...marketing.

 

[eytonxav]

I've never had a Dr suggest that I take a supplement, although I do tell them what I am taking.

 

[Koolau]

I take a number of vitamins and supplements. I have several doctors who either don't comment or ask "why are you taking THOSE?"

 

[tmm99]

My family doctor in Canada flat out told me that he received no special education regarding supplements and is not qualified to give any recommendations, except to say that everyone in Canada needs to take vitamin D.

 

[MC Rider]

My family doctor in Canada flat out told me that he received no special education regarding supplements and is not qualified to give any recommendations, except to say that everyone in Canada needs to take vitamin D.

Time for some continuing education then.

 

[Koolau]

My family doctor in Canada flat out told me that he received no special education regarding supplements and is not qualified to give any recommendations, except to say that everyone in Canada needs to take vitamin D.

Interesting. I live where it's always sunny and my dermatologist always compliments me for staying OUT of the sun! You can't win but YMMV.

 

[brett]

My family doctor in Canada flat out told me that he received no special education regarding supplements and is not qualified to give any recommendations, except to say that everyone in Canada needs to take vitamin D.

Mine (Canadian) certainly did.

One of his concerns was patients taking supplements sold by friends or relatives who claimed the supplements were the answer to everything...cancer, back problems, sleep issues. The entire gamut. My spouses physician is the same....she wants to know if DW is taking that could impact what she might prescribe.

He also recommended dealing with a qualified pharmacist for supplements and vitamins....not your friends who may sell them at incredibly high prices accompanied by grossly exaggerated claims. And very seldom know the least thing about what they are selling other than what they are reading form the promo detail sheet.

Sometimes they were reluctant to admit to taking them. His view is that he wants to know any drug or supplement that a patient happens to be taking prior to recommending any
treatment.

In my case, in my 60's, he recommended vitamin D. That's it. Plus the basics to good health. Keep my weight in check, eat healthy foods-especially fruits, less meat, more fish, pass on fried or fatty foods, regular exercise and a good sleep. His advice has worked well for the past 10 years.

I have a SIL who is obese, eats all the greasy foods, cakes, and breads that is put are front of her. Her view that the only good vegetable is one served in a sea of cheese sauce. She also buys all the vitamins, weight loss cures, sleep aids, anti oxidents that are sold by her church friends. Her health remains the same yet she continues to spend money she cannot afford because the either does not want to say no sale to these folks or expects a miracle weight loss cure out of a bottle in thirty days or less. Go figure.